Dear Friends of the House,
At West Neighbourhood House, we believe that every good house has a strong foundation. Since our inception, we have been committed to promoting and embodying good values in everything we do.
One of our core values is equity and social justice. We strive to break down barriers and drive positive systemic change to build stronger, healthier communities where everyone can thrive.
Recently, we welcomed many diverse members of our community to celebrate Lunar New Year, Black History Month, and International Women’s Day with various events and group activities.
These gatherings allow us to connect with diverse groups but also promote positive messaging and social change by listening to people’s experiences and providing a platform for different voices.
Our free tax clinics for low-income individuals and families to help navigate tax filings with ease are underway in March and April. Scroll down to find out if you qualify.
Read more about what has been happening at the House.
Celebrating Strength, Resilience, and Leadership on International Women’s Day
International Women’s Day on March 8th is an annual event that recognizes and celebrates the many achievements made by women. Throughout the week, the House hosted various activities that brought together program participants, community members, and staff to celebrate the important roles of women.
At our March staff meeting, Tai Salih, Founder of The Red Ma’at Collective, who came to Canada as a refugee in her youth, shared their experiences growing up as a refugee woman. The Red Ma’at Collective focuses on building community and creating space for Black, Indigenous, and marginalized folx to heal, connect and empower one another.
Following the meeting, participants and staff engaged in a drumming circle led by Michele Perpaul from the Spirit Wind group and participated in folk dancing led by Tai Salih.
The children from the EarlyON program created a display with words describing their mothers, including “resilient, caring, and courageous”.
The Portuguese Women 55+ (PW55+) group gathered at our 248 Ossington location for a celebratory event, where a participant read an original poem about the special contributions women make to our communities. PW55+ is a support group of Portuguese-speaking women who engage in activities and advocate on behalf of seniors.
The House would like to thank the volunteers from Blankets for Toronto, York Chapter, for their support during the event.
Celebrating the Lunar New Year with fun activities, cultural engagement and learning opportunities.
The Lunar New Year is a time of joy and celebration, traditionally marked by gatherings, feasting, and various activities. At West Neighbourhood House, we embraced the Year of the Snake with a series of exciting events that brought our community together.
In the After-School Program at Pope Francis Catholic School, both staff and students immersed themselves in the festivities. The air was filled with the sounds of singing and dancing, and the aroma of traditional food. Students showcased their creativity through arts and crafts and decorated the student space, making paper cut-out snakes, firecrackers, and lanterns.
The children wrote Chinese “couplets” on red paper to display on the doors and windows, expressing heartfelt wishes of happiness and good luck in the new year for all.
The celebration continued with dumpling-making sessions, where students learned the art of crafting these delicious treats with the help of our dedicated staff.
The atmosphere was lively as everyone joined in singing popular Chinese nursery rhymes and folk songs.
Staff members donned traditional costumes, adding to the festive spirit as they danced alongside participants from the After-School program and daycare.
During the Creation Café series, youth and staff from the Newcomer Youth Program crafted unique lanterns while learning about the significance of the Lunar New Year.
The Seniors Community Development program organized a celebration at the Toronto Public Housing building at 20 West Lodge in Parkdale, featuring traditional dancers and a meal from Shambhala Kitchen. The House is grateful to Shambhala Kitchen for donating the food for the event.
Honouring the History and Cultural Legacy of Black Canadians During Black History Month
The Newcomer Youth Program welcomed drumming instructor Mustapha to our community space at 248 Ossington to celebrate Black History Month. Participants from our local partner Sojourn House, as well as other members of the community, also joined the drumming circle.
Participants learned about the history of drumming in Africa and its cultural significance. Mustapha led a drumming circle with the youth, teaching them to perform as a group.
The “Food with Friends” workshop series prepared a meal of Trinidadian pelau, a rice-based dish featuring marinated chicken enjoyed together.
In the EarlyON program, staff read the story I am You: A Book About Ubuntu to the children, which teaches readers about the philosophy of Ubuntu, that emphasizes the importance of kindness, compassion, and sharing. The meaning of Ubuntu is “I am because we are”, a word that comes from the Xhosa and Zulu language from southern Africa and the bond that connects all people.
Children also read the book Our Skin: A First Conversation About Race, by Jessica Ralli and Megan Madison, a book designed to help adults initiate conversations with children, explaining differences between colour and race in a nurturing and supportive way.
At the organizational level, West Neighbourhood House continues to address anti-Black racism and discrimination through ongoing education and engagement within the House and with the community.
At our recent agency staff meeting, staff presented on some prominent Black Canadian community leaders, including Robert (Bob) Ellis former staff and Board President at the House and Conrad (Connie) Carrington a long-term staff member who was instrumental in the athletics and music programming at the House.
In addition, staff from across the House gathered for a tea event and discussion. Black-identified staff shared some of their experiences, and together, staff offered insights and ideas on how to educate ourselves and reflect on the Black experience in Canada.
Our annual “Seedy Sunday” Parkdale event needs volunteers for Sunday, March 30th!
The Parkdale Seedy Sunday and Ecofair is just around the corner happening on Sunday, March 30th11:30 am -3:00 pm at the Parkdale Public Library at 1303 Queen Street West.
Seedy Sunday is an annual event organized by the House’s Greenest City Program. It’s a fantastic opportunity for community members to swap seeds, share gardening tips, and connect with fellow plant enthusiasts.
We are on the lookout for enthusiastic volunteers to help make this day a success. Whether you’re into gardening, enjoy working with kids, or simply want to be part of a fun community event, we’ve got a role for you.
Volunteers are needed for various roles, including event set-up, seed packing, leading children’s activities, managing the welcome table, and helping with tear-down at the end of the day.
To sign up and join the fun, please contact Sandra Leon at sandrale@westnh.org or give her a call at 437-522-2070. For more information about Seedy Sunday, please visit the Greenest City page on our website: westnh.org/greenestcity
Income tax clinics are taking place in March and April at the House
West Neighbourhood House is holding free tax clinics for low-income individuals and families in March and April. Appointments can be made in person at our 248 Ossington Avenue location or over the phone.
To qualify, your household income must be less than:
- $35,000 for one person
- $45,000 for two people
- $47,500 for three people
- Plus $2,500 for each additional person
For more information, please call 416-532-4828, ext 393 to book an appointment.
Our 2024 Winter Appeal has raised $86,449 in donations so far, surpassing our Appeal goal of $80,000!
The House is very grateful to all our donors and ongoing supporters for your generosity and support of our community work.
Your feedback is very important to us! Please share what motivated you to give to our 2024 Winter Appeal and email us at: donations@westnh.org.
If you would like to become a monthly donor or increase your monthly donation, please contact Rui Martins at: ruima@westnh.org.
Stay in Touch!
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